Friday, February 5, 2010

Perspective

Perspective is a funny thing. It can come to us from many sources. Usually I find it comes at me when I need it and when the rest of my focus seems to be spinning out of control. I have 4 beautiful and healthy children. They are not perfect. I am not perfect. My life is a mess and so far out of my ability to manage right now that I spend far too much time in stressed out panic. I, however, do not have to deal with

This - a life irrevocably altered by a fiery plane crash

or

This - being the mother who has lost her son and grandson given the same name

or

This - having a baby drown in the bathtub on my watch; alive but struggling to survive

or

This - being the daughter of the mother who lost her son and then my own son given the same name.

and suddenly I have perspective. My life is not that bad. My troubles are not that awful. My heart ache is minor. My trials are mine to bear and I have the strength to do it. If they can do it, so can I.